Close to 70 Pacific Public Service leaders and senior officials from 16 member countries are meeting in Apia this week.
The Fono 2024: Pacific Public Service Leaders’ Conference is a Pacific-led forum to exchange insights and information on public service developments, challenges, and opportunities for reform.
The theme of this year’s Fono is “A resilient workforce achieving public service excellence the Pacific way.”
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Samoan Public Service Commission, Mr. Nonu Lemauga Saleimoa Va’ai, expressed his pride in hosting the event, stating:
“The Samoa Public Service Commission is delighted to welcome our Pacific public sector colleagues.
We are honored to host this important gathering, as it provides an opportunity for us, as leaders in the Samoa Public Service, to showcase our values and bring to life our vision of Public Service Excellence, ‘Talofa With a Smile,’ throughout this conference and beyond.”
The keynote speaker, Prime Minister and Minister for the Public Service, Hon. Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, also welcomed the delegates, emphasising the importance of the conference:
“We pride ourselves as Samoans on our values of service and excellence, and we are honoured to welcome Pacific public service leaders to the Fono.
This week promises meaningful conversations, insights, and shared learnings.
By fostering collaboration on regional needs and developing cooperative solutions grounded in Pacific expertise, the Fono 2024 will strengthen relationships among Pacific public service
leaders and advance our shared commitment to public service excellence.”
PSC Secretary, Mr. Kolone Tikeri, outlined the agenda, highlighting the focus on collaboration and leadership development:
“Over the next four days, we look forward to working together to address regional public service priorities identified during the Fale’s recent sub-regional meetings.
A key focus of this year’s Fono will be shaping future public service leaders and enhancing service delivery in practice.”
A highlight of the opening ceremony was the official handover from New Zealand, the previous host of the Fono.
Tania Ott, Deputy Commissioner at the New Zealand Public Service Commission and Head of the Public Service Fale, reflected on the legacy of the conference and its ongoing importance in fostering public service excellence across the Pacific.
Ms Ott said :
“We extend our thanks to the Samoa Public Service Commission and Public Service Leaders from across the Pacific for their work to support the development of strong, transparent, and effective public services locally, and regionally.
The New Zealand public service has an important role to play as a partner in the Pacific by supporting public sector strengthening initiatives that lift capability and build resilience because as we know, public sector strengthening goes to the heart of regional security, democratic nation-building, and economic development efforts.”
“Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have consistently articulated the importance of good governance for the region and the vital contribution good governance makes to sustainable development and economic growth.
The Fale’s support to Pacific Public Service Leaders and their agencies to improve integrity and ethics behaviour and implement merit-based, equitable and inclusive management practices directly contribute to these aspirations.”
Fono 2024 is being held at Taumeasina Island Resort and takes place over the next four days.